Protective cover for a handbag and combination

ABSTRACT

A container which is waterproof that is used to protect articles having access channels ( 20 ) for the handle ( 12 ) which prevents water from entering container which is covered by lid ( 18 ) and its sides ( 28 ) with slit openings ( 16 ) which secure closed with Velcro ( 11 ) on front ( 10 ). In addition, said container is collapsible and carried in the protective carrying case ( 30 ) and held closed by strap or closure ( 34 ) and can also be attached to an umbrella by the latch ( 32 ) or carried in ones handbag for when needed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/641,972, filed Jan. 6, 2005.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a protective covered container that is collapsible and disposable which you put a handbag in to prevent water/precipitation damage to the article therein. Handbags have become an expensive commodity and are often ruined from precipitation, be it rain or snow. Even with spray-on waterproofing formulas, water spots, dust and dirt on suede and other expensive fabrics destroy the handbag. Most handbags also have openings near the closures and sides where the contents are not fully protected in wet situations. This inventions design prevents water from entering into the container.

PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 1,368,835 February, 1921 Place

U.S. Pat. No. 2,436,237 April, 1946 Brandt

U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,360 August, 1975 Cook

U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,339 May, 1977 Burke

U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,356 October, 1983 Abrams

U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,833 October, 1993 McAllister

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, there is a protective cover for a handbag which includes a top panel, and four side panels. The cover further includes an access opening located in at least one of the side panels that allows access to the handbag. The cover also includes a first and second strap opening located in either the top panel or opposing side panels for allowing a strap to pass through on each side of the handbag.

In another aspect of the invention, there is a combination handbag and protective cover. The handbag includes a main body with a front, back and two sides. The handbag also includes a strap attached to both sides and a pouch for containing the protective cover when not in use. The protective cover includes a top panel, a front panel, a back panel and opposing side panels. The cover further includes an access opening located in at least one of the side panels for allowing access to the handbag. A first and second strap opening is located in either the top panel or opposing side panels for allowing a strap to pass through on each side of the handbag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Perspective 1 FIG. 1. is a front view of the protective handbag container invention and;

FIG. 2. is a side view with the said protective handbag container invention open noting the corners of the lid and how they close to prevent water from entering through the top and sides of the container.

Perspective 2 FIG. 1. is a front view of the protective handbag container invention with straight lines rather than curved as an alternative style.

Perspective 3 FIG. 1. is a front view of the protective carrying pouch for said protective invention that can be attached to other carrying article such as an umbrella or inside of a purse or handbag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The numerals in the drawing refer to the elements of the protective handbag container invention through the two views along with a third view of the carrying storage pouch which is used in transporting the protective handbag container;

a protective handbag container 10, provided with a handle 12, and an enclosable lid 18, with protective sides on the lid 28, and preferable to include a bottom panel 36 but not required.

Protective handbag container 10 with sidewalls 26 which have the attached handles 12 at point 14, which handle 12 is captured through the strap opening 20 on sidewall 28 embodiment of the lid 18 which prevents water through the access channels through opening 20 of access channels from entering into the container through the top of said protective handbag container 10.

When opening the lid 18, flaps 16 made of preferred closing material Velcro are released from attaching Velcro strips 11 which secure the protective handbag container 10 to the lid 18 and prevent the lid 18 from being turned up by wind and prevent leakage into the protective handbag container 10.

The preferred materials for construction are waterproof flexible fabrics which do not freeze easily but are strong enough to carry weight and can be folded into compact sizes. The fabrics are not limited to non-breathable fabrics but can include waterproofing products such polyurethane, silicone and other fabric guards which aide in the waterproofing processes and the layering of fabrics to obtain such waterproof protection and water repellency. This also includes items such as Neoprene®, PVC and wax derivative products. The breathable fabric Gore-Tex® can also be used in construction of said handbag container 10. Including Windstopper® and all types of breathable laminates and synthetic fabrics.

Said protective handbag container is preferable to be constructed by sewing but can also be pressure melted to construct the seams. The sewing method can include the waterproof stitching and/or waterproof glues.

The design is not limited to rectangular in shape but can be customized to fit designer handbags and styles that may require adjustments to the shape of the protective handbag container. The size of the protective handbag container is not limited in size and can be used to carry other items.

When the protective handbag container is needed, it is unfolded and removed from the carrying storage pouch 30, which is convenient to carry in a handbag or attached to an umbrella by the retractable hook 32. The carrying storage pouch 30 is tied closed by strap 34 or opened by untying strap 34. Another form of closure is also acceptable. Strap 34 can also be used to secure the pouch to an umbrella around the width of it, in addition to the retractable hook 32, which is secured around the main stem of the umbrella shaft near the handle of the umbrella.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.

-   -   a. One advantage of the invention which makes it novel is the         placement of the shoulder strap on the container, located on the         two parallel sides, which bypasses the lid or top of the         container so there are no openings wherein water can wet or soak         the handbag contained therein.     -   b. Another advantage of the invention is how the container is         collapsible and conveniently stored within the handbag or         attached to an umbrella to be used during rainy or wet         conditions. Fabrics used in this invention are waterproof or can         be waterproofed and with the options of flexible, non freezing         fabrics.     -   c. Another advantage of the invention is how the front flap is         expandable to loosen the top or the lid of the container and is         also sealable on the two frontal sides to resist being turned up         by wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a container which is a protective cover for a handbag to be placed in, that is collapsible, disposable, and convenient to either carry in the handbag itself or attached to an umbrella and used when needed. 

1. A protective cover for a handbag comprising a top panel, and four side panels; an access opening located in at least one of the side panels for allowing access to the handbag; and a first and second strap opening located in either the top panel or opposing side panels for allowing a strap to pass through on each side of the handbag.
 2. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a bottom panel.
 3. The cover of claim 1 wherein the access opening spans three of the side panels.
 4. The cover of claim 3 wherein the three side panels are configured so that a portion of the panels overhangs the opening.
 5. The cover of claim 1 wherein the strap openings are located in opposite ends of the top panel.
 6. The cover of claim 1 further comprising first access channel connecting the first strap opening with a first side of the cover and a second access channel connecting the second strap opening with an opposing side of the cover whereby the cover can be removed from the handbag by passing the straps through the access chanels.
 7. The cover of claim 6 wherein the first and second access channels are closeable.
 8. The cover of claim 7 wherein the first and second access channels are closed by either snaps or hook and loop fasteners. [that's the generic term for Velcro®]
 9. The cover of claim 1 wherein the strap is captured by the first and second strap openings, thereby maintaining the cover on the strap of the handbag.
 10. The cover of claim 1 wherein the panels are made from a transparent film.
 11. The cover of claim 1 wherein the panels are made from a water-resistant woven fabric.
 12. A combination handbag and protective cover comprising; a handbag comprising a main body with a front, back and two sides, a strap attached to both sides, a pouch for containing the protective cover when not in use; and a protective cover comprising a top panel, a front panel, a back panel and opposing side panels, and; an access opening located in at least one of the side panels for allowing access to the handbag; and a first and second strap opening located in either the top panel or opposing side panels for allowing a strap to pass through on each side of the handbag.
 13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the pouch is attached to the strap.
 14. The combination of claim 12 further comprising a bottom panel.
 15. The combination of claim 12 wherein the access opening spans the front and two opposing side panels.
 16. The combination of claim 15 wherein the front and two side panels are configured so that a portion of the panels overhangs the opening.
 17. The combination of claim 12 further comprising first access channel connecting the first strap opening with a first side of the cover and a second access channel connecting the second strap opening with an opposing side of the cover whereby the cover can be removed from the handbag by passing the straps through the access chanels.
 18. The combination of claim 17 wherein the first and second access channels are closeable.
 19. The combination of claim 18 wherein the first and second access channels are closed by either snaps or hook and loop fasteners.
 20. The combination of claim 12 wherein the strap is captured by the first and second strap openings, thereby maintaining the cover on the strap of the handbag. 